Spring is the perfect time to reset—not just your horse’s routine, but your connection to your horse too! If you are anything like me, you are ready to get busy with a plan for the upcoming spring, as well as summer season.
So I have compiled a collection of 25 simple things that you can do to reset for spending more time with your horse this spring! And I have put everything together into a printable for you as well!
🌿 Fresh Start Moments
For myself, getting started is the hardest part. So making easy wins is my key to motivating myself to continue to keep pushing forward. And I thought I would share a few of my ideas with you, in case you needed a little inspiration this spring.
Hand Graze Your Horse
This is one of my favorite things to do. It is so much fun to walk my horses out of the confines of their pasture, and down the driveway to the green, green grass. The way their ears perk up as they pay attention. Then finding the perfect patch of grass for them to enjoy for a few minutes, listening to them munching the grass is very rewarding for me.
This is how I will typically end a training session, and this is their reward, and thank you for a job well done.
A Relaxing Grooming Session in the Sunshine
Instead of a quick grooming session, and then tacking up as fast as you can, why not just spend an early evening with your horse doing a little bit of extra grooming? Take a break from your regular routine and try something different. Having a relaxed change of pace is not only good for your horse, but you just might find it does you some good too.
🐎 Riding & Back-to-Work Goals
Start a Simple Conditioning Plan
First, come up with a plan, especially if you horse has had the winter off. You want to build up the intensity of your rides, and how much you ask of your horse. And keeping things simple in the beginning, and building on it will keep your horse healthy while you both get back to a level of fitness. Not sure where to begin? Here are a few ideas.
Work on Transitions and Responsiveness
Work on transitions throughout a routine riding session. You can start with walk, then halt. Trot, then walk. Canter, then walk. And so on and so on. By working through different transitions, you will keep things fresh for your horse. When he anticipates what you always do, because you always do the same thing, it gets repetitive and boring for both of you.
Why not try something new and different? Not only can it help liven up your ride, but it will keep your horse focused on you, and what you will be asking. Don’t get frustrated if he doesn’t do what you ask at first. But with time and practice, you will both get better and better. I would be willing to bet you will look forward to your riding sessions more too.
This can be especially helpful if you are not working with a trainer. So instead of walking endless circles, trotting circles, and cantering around the arena, mix things up. Keep it fresh for both you and your horse.
🌼 Groundwork & Resetting Manners
Over the winter if you aren’t able to work with your horse as much as you do when it’s warm and sunny out, they can start to forget the hard work you have already done with earning your respect (and vice versa). So before you jump up into your saddle, you may want to revisit a few areas to keep both you and your horse safe.
Refresh leading manners and personal space
A good place to start is of course on the ground. And see how your horse is responding to you. How are his manners? Is he pushy? Does he listen to your commands? How is he leading? Does he walk beside you, or try to drag you around? If so, it might be a good place to start with ground work and manners.
If you aren’t sure where to get started, here are a few ideas.
- Practice standing quietly for grooming/tacking
- Work on lunging with better responsiveness
- Introduce light desensitization exercises
- Rebuild respect and connection from the ground
When your horse is good with all of this, then you can transition into riding. It may seem like a lot. But trust me, by starting with ground work, and the basics first will transfer to when you are riding.
🧼 Spring Cleaning (Horse Edition)
Ok, this is probably one of my favorite things to do in preparing everything for riding season. I’m a planner. And most of the time when I am working through these different chores, I am preparing myself for riding. It may sound strange, but for me, this is just the process I go through every spring preparing myself for riding.
Here are a few other things I like to do too:
- Deep clean your tack
- Wash saddle pads and grooming tools
- Clean out and reorganize your tack space
- Rotate out winter blankets and gear
- Check and refresh first aid supplies
I’m not sure if these will inspire you, but going through a process is really helpful for me.
🌷 Fun Spring Activities
And once you gotten everything ready, and your horse is acting like your horse, and not a fire breathing dragon. Then you can do some fun things to!
- Set up a simple obstacle course with spring-themed items
- Go for a “graze and stroll” walk around the property
- Try liberty work on a warm day
- Have a mini photoshoot with florals or pastel colors
- Make DIY horse treats (carrot + apple combos!)
Or come up with some ideas of your own. Write down your goals, and think of small steps that build upon each other to get you to your goals.
✨ Spring Mini Challenge Ideas
And if you’re really ready for a challenge, why not give yourself a monthly challenge? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Groom Your Horse Every Day for 7 Days
If you want to see a major change in your horses appearance, take a week and commit to doing a thorough grooming every single day for a week. And to really be able to tell a difference, be sure to take a picture on day one, as well as after an entire week of grooming. I promise, you will see a difference!
Ride 3 Times a Week Consistently
Can you do this? I always try to challenge myself to do this! Sometimes I do more, a lot of time I do less. But I do enjoy spending time with both of my horses each and every day. I think they like the interaction. And I know Jesse does enjoy having a job. Even if he sometimes acts as if he doesn’t.
Spend 10 Minutes/Day on Groundwork
You could make this a fun challenge for an entire month if you like. Everything that you do on the ground does transfer when you are riding your horse. And I know I enjoy having a quiet horse on the ground, as well as when I am in the saddle.
Clean One Piece of Tack A Day For A Week
I think this is totally doable. Even if you are like me, and have a large collection of tack. I enjoy cleaning and polishing my tack. This gives me the chance to look over everything and make sure all is safe, and clean before I put it on my horse.
Spring Reset 25 Ways to Enjoy Your Horse This Season
Wow, ok, that is way more than 25 ideas. But did it spark something in you? Are you ready to make your own checklist and get started? Good!
But if you are not feeling making a checklist, I’ve got you! I made a FREE printable for you that you can print off, and check off each project over the next few months. I know having a tool like this always help motivate me, and I thought it might be helpful for you as well.
Click here to get your own copy of my SPRINGTIME HORSE BUCKET LIST. Then print it off from your printer and check off each item as you do it with your horse this spring. Because summer will be here before we know it, and I want you and your horse to be ready for many, many adventures this summer!
Happy Horsekeeping!
